506 Herr E. Hartert on the 



Glaucidium passerinum, L. 



Very rare, but has been shot at different times of the year. 

 As this Owl is a stationary bird all the year round, there can 

 be no doubt that it breeds in East Prussia, although I cannot 

 prove the fact. It has no doubt been commoner in times 

 past, when old trees were more numerous than nowadays. 



Glaucidium noctua (Retz.). 



I unite the genera Caj^ine and Glaucidium into one genus 

 because there are many foreign species in which the charac- 

 ters used to separate them are not easily recognizable. 



The present species is not very common in Prussia, but well 

 known. I once found a nest in a hole of a river-bank. Eggs 

 are laid in the middle of May. 



Nyctala tengmaljMi (Gm,). 



This Owl has been shot in several months of the year. 

 As it seems to be a resident bird all the year round, it 

 probably breeds within the limits of North-eastern Germany, 

 but this has not yet been proved. 



SURNIA ULULA (L.). 



Chiefly observed in October. Very rare in many years, 

 but common in others. In all probability it has been a 

 regular breeder in North-eastern Prussia in times past. In 

 our days this must occur very seldom, although it may do 

 so sometimes. This Owl breeds in the Russian Baltic pro- 

 vinces, not very far from East Prussia. 



Nyctea scandiaca (L.). 



Occurs every winter in East Prussia; it is generally very 

 rare, but sometimes rather numerous. According to Brehm 

 ('Thierleben'), it was found breeding in 1843 in the district 

 of Ragnit. 



SyRNIUM URALENSE (Pall.). 



This rare Owl breeds regularly in some of the north- 

 eastern forests of East Prussia. The eggs are deposited in the 

 nests of Buzzards and other larger birds of prey or in hollow 

 trees. The eggs are laid in April, mostly in the first^half 

 of the month. The cry of the male is similar to the loud 



